Once in a lifetime Mother & Daughter Retreats!

Check out our client, Mira's Blog post on her customized Mother/Daughter Retreat to South India.

"Once we came to our conclusion of going, we got in touch with Crossways Travel & Tours Inc., if you are thinking of travel to a foreign place through an agency, then I recommend them with flying colors.  They planned a vacation packet fit for queens for us.  Honestly, they catered to our every need..from day one they had assigned a private car and driver ready to take us where ever we chose..completely dependent on our flexibility, which is helpful because my mother and I are very spontaneous people.  They planned a traveling itinerary including everything we had asked them we wanted out our trip to south india to even more event and places that went above and beyond our expectations.  They simply blew our minds, We couldn't have asked for a better itinerary or agency....." 

Thanks for your kind words Mira! Your post made our day and we absolutely love your pictures!

http://simplymiraa.blogspot.ca/2012/07/see-world-you-live-in.html

Our Top 10 Honeymoon Destinations

When you reflect back on your life, there are a few milestones and events that are always going to be cherished and remembered. Your first day at High school. Your first love and heartbreak.Your first vacation. Your graduation. Your acceptance into College/University. Your engagement. Your wedding day. And then your honeymoon.

A Honeymoon is a traditional vacation taken by a newlywed couple shortly after their wedding celebrations. The honeymoon is seen as a time for the newly-married couple to be intimate (without interruptions) and is also a chance for couples to explore unique parts of the world and enjoy the outdoors. We at Crossways believe that your honeymoon is the first step towards the rest of your lives together. It should be special - customized to reflect your relationship and the type of life you see yourselves having together.

We can provide a range of possibilities to find the perfect honeymoon vacation for you!

10. Tirol, Austria
Tirol is an Austrian Region situated in the Alps area. It's best known for it's picturesque mountain landscapes and some of the best ski slopes in Central Europe.

9. Cape Town, Africa
Cape Town is one of the world’s most popular safari destinations. Millions of tourists mill into Cape Town every year to experience the culture and interact with its high-spirited residents.Cape Town is a gay-friendly town and also friendly to public displays of affection

8. Azores Island, Atlantic Ocean
The Azores Island is situated in the Atlantic Ocean. It is a remote island known for its breathtaking accommodations and beautiful landscapes.

7. Saint Barts Island, Caribbean
This is a popular vacation spot often visited by celebrities including Jay Z and Beyonce. Saint Barts is probably one of the most posh honeymoon destinations that you can possibly choose. It is best known for it's luxurious villas, French culture, and amazing beaches

6. India
If you wish for a more exotic and mystical honeymoon destination, there is no better place than India. India is known for its rich history, colorful culture, breathtaking landscapes and of course the Taj Mahal - a symbol of eternal love

5. Cote d'Azur, France
Cote d'Azur is the quintessential Mediterranean playground and the glamor queen of the coast situated in the French Rivera. It is known for its remarkable beauty of the hills and land's edge, the scent of the plant life, the mimosa blossom in February and the impossibly blue water after which the coast is named, the Côte d'Azur remains undeniably captivating. The chance to see the works of innumerable artists seduced by the land and light also adds a splash of magic to your trip

4. Hawaii, USA
Hawaii is a popular honeymoon destination and no doubt a lover's paradise. The fresh, floral air energizes you. The warm, tranquil waters refresh you. The breathtaking, natural beauty renews you. Look around. There’s no place on earth like Hawaii!

3. Paris, France
There’s a reason why Paris is called the City of Love! A visit to Paris is never complete without a gaze upon the Eiffel Tower and a trip to the market for a picnic lunch along the Seine. Visit a great little pedestrian market street called Rue Cler (just to the southeast of the Eiffel Tower at the Ecole Militaire metro stop). Fruit vendors, cheesemongers, bakeries, and boulangeries sell sandwiches, baguettes, quiches, tarts, and of course, macaroons, for the perfect afternoon Parisian picnic in the park.

2. Venice, Italy
Venice is a romantic place for newlyweds.Tourism has become a major industrial sectors of Venice since the 18th century, when the main center for the grand tour, because the beautiful cityscape, uniqueness, and rich cultural heritage and artistic music. In the 19th century, it became fashionable center for the rich and famous, often staying or dining at fancy places like the Hotel Danieli and Caffe Florian.

1. Bora Bora, Pacific Ocean
Amidst the vastness of the Pacific Ocean lies an island paradise so picturesque your time there will seem but a dream. Bora Bora is just a short flight from Tahiti and has a unique, luscious landscape perfect for newlyweds to unwind and enjoy each other. Bora Bora is hailed as the most romantic islands in the world because it has some of the most unique settings and experiences on Earth that you have to experience for yourself to truly understand.

Making Travel Arrangements for a Destination Wedding

If you've picked that perfect destination wedding spot, you might be wondering how you and your guests are going to get there. Traveling with a wedding party can be difficult even if you're not going that far. Destination Wedding Gurus state that you should make all your travel arrangements nine months before the wedding, so you can be sure to get everyone there in one group. The best way to get travel arrangements for everyone, however, is to go through a Destination Wedding Travel Agent (AHEM! Crossways). We have years of experience with booking flights, rental cars, taxis, limos and other transportation that might be needed for you and your guests. Also, we can negotiate either wholesale or group rates, making the travel expenses a bit cheaper for everyone involved. As Travel agents we have access to rates that individuals can't obtain, so it's a good idea to at least consult us before booking your trip.

Ways to Save on Destination Wedding Flights and Accommodations

There are many ways that you and your wedding guests, can save on destination wedding accommodations. If you choose to have your wedding in the “off season” (a less popular time of year to travel to your destination), you can often save almost half of the cost of full rates. Booking large amounts of rooms at the same time can also save you money - We can negotiate a group rate for your accommodations, making the cost per room less for your guests. Another way to lower your accommodation costs is to have wedding guests stay at a cheaper (but still nice) hotel or resort that's nearby. If you want to stay at the four star resort you're holding your wedding at, you can choose to have your wedding guests stay at the two or three star hotel next door. It's also nice to give your guests a choice of rooms; that way, they can decide how much they want to pay for their accommodations. Remember, your destination wedding is a vacation for them as well!

For more information and travel inquiries please contact us:

Customized Tours/Packages/Destination Weddings/Honeymoons:
p. 1 800 588 1688 (Toll Free)
e. rashmi@crossways-travel.com

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Part Three: Booking Online vs. A Travel Agent

Mybookingwizard.com writes:

"A number of other disadvantages exist with the use of online booking. Because of the need for exchanging sensitive personal data, such as home addresses and bank and credit card details, the online booking process is an attractive target for cyber criminals looking to steal this information. Fake websites created for the sole purpose of stealing personal information is also an ever-present danger. Plus, as individuals don’t have another individual to deal with in the booking process, it is left to them to read and understand the often complicated terms and conditions."

Read more: http://www.mybookingwizard.com/pros-cons-of-online-booking/ 

smh.com.au writes:

"Another is hotels and tour operators with similar names, a problem that has caused many travellers to end up in the wrong place. Car rental companies and other operators have also had problems with people making a booking for the wrong city, such as Sydney in Canada instead of Sydney, Australia."

Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/travel/traveller-tips/travel-agents-versus-online-booking-pros-and-cons-20090402-9ksi.html#ixzz1qKh1gTZz

ehow.co.uk writes:

"Travel booking sites are in a sense their own kind of middleman. When you book your holiday through an external site like Orbitz, Expedia or Priceline, you are often expected to adhere to that particular website's cancellation and refund policy instead of, or in addition to, the policy of the airline or hotel where you're making your reservation. In a worst-case scenario, in the event you have to cancel or change your travel dates, you could wind up paying two cancellation fees instead of the one you'd have if you'd booked directly with the hotel or airline."

Read more: Pros & Cons of Booking Holidays Online | eHow.co.uk http://www.ehow.co.uk/info_8605150_pros-cons-booking-holidays-online.html#ixzz1qKhowjYj

buzzle.com writes:

Cons
✘ Every technology has its disadvantages and so does online bookings. While the Internet offers good reviews and comments of some supposed previous travelers, there is no guarantee that the names and positive comments are authentic. The travel agent on the other hand, tends to make a suggestion based on his personal experience and quotes by his previous customers.

✘ With a huge scale of frauds and Internet crimes taking place, online booking sites are not far behind. There are several well-designed sites that offer to do online bookings for their customers. They offer fake reviews and holiday discounts to lure customers. There is a high chance of innocent customers booking a holiday or an airplane ticket through these sites. These sites generally issue fake itineraries and tickets after the payment is made. Preference for online bookings demands that customers stay alert and ensure authenticity of the online booking sites before proceeding with any transaction.

✘ Online booking sites are designed to make the customers feel that they have got the cheapest travel deal on offer. However, the grim reality is that the commission, taxes and hidden charges on online booking sites are way higher than traditional travel agents.

Read more: http://www.buzzle.com/articles/booking-tickets-online-or-through-a-travel-agent-which-is-better.html

TravelDreamMegazine.com writes:

The Lowest Prices are Guaranteed Online? Or Are They?

Have you ever gone online and found the most amazing deal on a flight and then when you start going into the actual booking the price just goes higher and higher? Online travel sites are well known for the “bait and switch” tactic. They have all done clever marketing campaigns to get the word out that you will get the lowest prices for the same packages that agents sell and if you travel often then you may be discovering that this is just not the case. In fact every agent I have talked with about a price I found online has matched and further reduced the online price, so why doesn’t the Agent have the upper hand here?
There are some unbelievable travel deals to be found on an online site but is what you see always what you get? You purchase the trip and then the online site says oh we are sorry the tour operator changed the flight, or cancelled it all together. It isn’t our fault but the charter flight company changed the flight. Is it just me or are these “changes” happening more with online bookings than with agency bookings?

The Bottom Line — Travel Buyers Beware

In response to my recent online booking issues, I’m questioning if I ever want to book a flight or trip online again. Having a relationship with a good travel agent means experience, expertise, information, customer service and someone that has my back. I’m starting to wonder why consumer reports have not been compiled on issues of using Online Travel Sites for bookings and is it really true that they offer the lowest price for the same vacations you get with an Agent? Just sayin’!

Read more: http://dreamtravelmagazine.com/booking-with-a-travel-agent-vs-booking-online-which-is-better/

Part One: Booking Online vs. A Travel Agent

When we first entered the travel industry, no one booked a vacation on their own. Why? Because all you had to do was call a Travel Agent who hooked you up with the best available deals and took care of all the arrangements. The world changed when Online Travel Sites started popping up creating a discount craze by allowing easy access to travel deals. This craze went on for a few years forcing many Travel Agencies to shut down. Fortunately for us, travelers have now started to realize that you get exactly what you pay for when purchasing Air, Hotel, Car Rentals and so forth, online. The Travel Industry has always been and will always be commission based. We may not be able to directly compete with some of the prices offered Online but we are confident that we deliver way more!

Last year, one of our valued clients was looking for cheap package deals for a family vacation getaway. He was honest in telling us that he ended up purchasing a package online simply because he was getting way more and for a better price. He shared the package details and in all honesty, it truly was an amazing deal- one that was difficult for us to match. We were grateful for his loyalty and were happy to see how excited he was about this trip. Unfortunately, he ended up calling us (almost halfway to his destination) completely angry and desperate. Their first flight was delayed (due to weather) and they ended up missing their connecting flight. They were able to get on the next available flight, but not in time for their Cruise departure. There was another flight that would get them there on time, but their tickets were non-transferable to another Air Line. After being with the Help Desk for over two hours, he had called us hoping to see if there was anything we could do for them. Unfortunately, we couldn’t because we didn’t have access to his file. He and his family ended up paying full price for a cruise they missed. His travel insurance provided limited coverage, it paid for their hotel rooms until they were able to fly back. They had already redeemed their flights. And finally, they lost all their money on the cruise because the terms and conditions for the online site clearly stated that you get zero refunds on “no shows”. What a mess. The worst part is, our client admitted that he went with the online deal because he was saving $30 per person on Air and a total of $200 on the cruise.

We want to save our clients money. But there are times where we can’t. However, in all cases we end up offering you way more than online sites. 

Here is how:

Pros to booking through a Travel Agent

• If you're looking for experience, convenience and personal service.
• You want maximum control over your itinerary.
• If you are going to off the path locals.
• If you are booking a tour or a cruise.
• If you have a complicated itinerary.
• If you want upscale flights and lodging, special amenities or out-of-the-ordinary experiences.
• If you want a customized experience.
• You want to save time on researching.
• You are going somewhere where you’ve never been before.
• You are traveling as a couple, family, or group.
• You are pressed for time or on a tight schedule.
• You want a safe and secure experience with someone to hold accountable in case things go wrong.

Cons to booking through a Travel Agent

•  Having to pay a small Travel Agent Fee

What you don’t know will end up costing you more. Most often, prices differences between Online sites and Travel Agents is the difference between the worst trip ever and one that is seamlessly perfect! Check out Part Two of this article to learn more on hidden costs.

Part Two: Booking Online vs. A Travel Agent

(Continuation from Part One)

When we first entered the travel industry, no one booked a vacation on their own. Why? Because all you had to do was call a Travel Agent who hooked you up with the best available deals and took care of all the arrangements. The world changed when Online Travel Sites started popping up creating a discount craze by allowing easy access to travel deals. This craze went on for a few years forcing many Travel Agencies to shut down. Fortunately for us, travelers have now started to realize that you get exactly what you pay for when purchasing Air, Hotel, Car Rentals and so forth, online. The Travel Industry has always been and will always be commission based. We may not be able to directly compete with some of the prices offered Online but we are confident that we deliver way more! 

What you don’t know will end up costing you more. Most often, price differences between Online sites and Travel Agents is the difference between the worst trip ever and one that is seamlessly perfect! 

Higher chances of being bumped when using online travel sites:

When you make a booking through a Travel Agent, your seat is immediately taken off of the flight availability list. But when you book with online travel sites (such as Orbitz, Expedia, iTravel2000, Booking.com, Priceline etc.) your seat is not immediately removed, resulting in an oversold flight. If your seats were the last tickets to be issued, you will be the first travelers bumped on an overbooked flight.

Not many are aware of this and those who are have experienced it firsthand. It’s not much of an issue when you’re traveling a short distance with no connecting flights in between. But it can be disastrous when you’re traveling long distances, with connecting flights and with more people. Missing your connection always results in an inconvenience: Baggage delays, Next flight is fully booked, Next flight is hours away, leaving you frustrated, stranded and can also result in Monetary Losses.

Prices are deceptive when you book online:

Online Travel Sites are centered on the idea of saving you money. They claim this possible by selling in large volumes (to gain discounts from the airline or hotel/resort) and by taking a smaller commission on sales (to help you save more). There is some truth to this, but what people don’t know is that they often make their money through cancellations. Additionally, the prices outlined online may not cover a number of other fees (i.e. daily resort fee, out of state car fee, additional taxes etc). Essentially, you don’t end up saving as much as you thought you would.

When you book with us, we’ll provide you with an invoice outlining ALL expenses upfront. Certain additional expenses (i.e. of a personal nature, personal long distance calls, gratuities, tips, etc) will be specified and made known to you. Also, if you have any questions regarding your invoice you can discuss this with us.

With a Travel Agent you receive better customer service:

You found an amazing deal on an Ocean View Hotel Room online and purchased it right away. Let's say when you get to the hotel you discover your room isn’t exactly how it was described. The first thing that comes to mind, is speaking directly with the Hotel Front Desk. Usually the Hotel won’t do anything for you because according to them, you ‘willingly’ purchased a discounted room (you get what you paid for). They will probably offer you a better room but at an additional cost. Next, you’ll try calling the online travel site you purchased the room from. Only to realize, the help desk is not quite as “helpful” and you’re truly stuck with what you paid for.  

When you book with us, you know our name, location, what we look like and where you can find us. Moreover, you will get exactly what you paid for. In the event you’re unhappy about something (i.e. stranded, missed your flight, or don’t really like your accommodations) you can rely on your Travel Agent to fix it. The most important thing is that you can get a hold of us without having to wait in queue to speak to someone at a help desk.

At the end of the day, you get what you pay for. If the price seems too good to be true, you're probably right.

Your Experience is Priceless.

Almost every single person we know has mentioned how much they envy our job. Simply because our job is to do what most people get in trouble for doing at work: day dreaming of beaches, safaris, lavish hotels, breathtaking spas and so on. We totally agree, it is kind of amazing to work in an industry where your creativity and imagination are awarded. The hardest part of our job is turning your dreams into a reality. Not many people are aware of the amount of work that goes on behind the scenes to pull off a successful production. It's a tough job when you're relying on many factors that will either make the entire trip or can quickly turn what was supposed to be an amazing experience into a traveler's nightmare. Even something as small as an episode of food poisoning or delayed baggage can quickly take a toll over an entire trip.

When you're in the business of making others dreams come true it's almost a requirement to have a partnership with fate. A partnership that requires you to work together and have back up plans in case things change. Being prepared is a huge part of our job. We are prepared when things change, things go wrong and more importantly we take an extra step by preparing our clients. 

What we love most about our job is the feedback we receive from our partners and clients. It makes our day when our client's share their stories and excitement with us! In fact, the inspiration behind this post is an email we received this morning from our client an email we received this morning is what inspired us to write this post. Our client, Natasha is currently in Rajasthan India enjoying her Royal stay at a palace in Deogarh. She wrote:

"Just finished the most wonderful night in Deogarh!!! Met the maharaja and maharani - what a wonderful place, wonderful couple and a wonderful experience.  So far, we have loved every minute of it, but Deogarh was unexpectedly, the highlight. We are staying in the castle all by ourselves and have had the most personalized service. Rajasthan has surpassed our expectations. Will send you more detail in a few days."

Natasha, you absolutely made our day! Thanks for thinking about us and sharing this amazing experience. We can't wait for you to experience the rest of your trip and hear more about your adventure!

Making this trip come true for Natasha is our job. But being part of an experience that she is always going to remember and cherish is priceless. This is what we thrive on and this is why we love our job!